Discover Fascinating Brunei Darussalam Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Brunei Darussalam.
Brunei
Background
Brunei is a fascinating little country with a big history! π° The Sultanate of Brunei ruled over important areas between the 15th and 17th centuries. During this time, they stretched their influence across the stunning coastlines of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. πβ¨
Fast forward to 1888, when Brunei became a British protectorate, and then 1984, when it finally achieved independence! π It's pretty cool to note that the same royal family has been in charge for over 600 years. π Isn't that incredible?
Years of Influence
300
Year Became British Protectorate
1888
Year of Independence
1984
Years of Continuous Rule by Same Family
600
Exports - commodities
Brunei's economy is heavily reliant on its rich natural resources. π In 2022, the country exported a variety of commodities that play a crucial role in its economy. The main exports included:
- Refined Petroleum: This vital product fuels not just vehicles but the economy itself!
- Natural Gas: Brunei has reserves that make it a significant player in the global market for this essential energy source. π‘
- Crude Petroleum: A raw form of oil that is transformed into various products we use every day.
- Hydrocarbons: These are compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon - they are the backbone of many energy products.
- Fertilizers: These help in boosting agricultural productivity, showcasing Brunei's diverse export portfolio! πΎ
These commodities are essential for economic development and provide a snapshot of Bruneiβs trade strengths.
Key Exports
Refined petroleum, Natural gas, Crude petroleum, Hydrocarbons, Fertilizers
Exports - partners
Brunei is known for its rich exports and has strong trade relationships with several countries! π In 2022, the top export partners were:
- Australia: 19% of total exports
- Japan: 17% of total exports
- China: 16% of total exports
- Singapore: 14% of total exports
- Malaysia: 10% of total exports
This shows how important these countries are in Brunei's trade network! π Let's take a closer look at how these percentages add up. They all combine to represent the distribution of Brunei's exports among its partners! π
Total Percentage of Top 5 Export Partners
76%
Brunei's Export Partners Distribution (2022)
Capital
π Welcome to Bandar Seri Begawan, the enchanting capital city of Brunei! This vibrant city is not just the political center of the country, but also a place filled with rich culture and history. π From stunning mosques to lush gardens, there's so much to explore in this beautiful capital. Did you know that it's named after a local Malay hero? Let's dive into the wonder of Bandar Seri Begawan! π
Imports - commodities
Brunei imports some important commodities that power its economy and make life more enjoyable! ππ¨ Here's a closer look at what they bring in from other countries:
- Crude Petroleum: A vital resource for fuel and energy.
- Refined Petroleum: Processed for various uses, including transportation and heating.
- Cars: Bringing in all kinds of vehicles enhances the local transport.
- Coal: Used for energy production and other industries.
- Gas Turbines: Essential for generating power efficiently.
These imports help keep the country running smoothly and connected to the rest of the world! πβ¨
Main Imports
Crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, coal, gas turbines
Climate
Brunei experiences a tropical climate βοΈ, which means it's hot and humid most of the year! π΄π§οΈ The rainy season brings plenty of rainfall, making the environment lush and vibrant. So, if you're planning to visit or live in Brunei, be prepared for warm weather and the occasional downpour! π¦οΈ
Executive branch
In Brunei, the chief of state and head of government is the same person! π The role is held by Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah, who has been in this position since 5 October 1967. That's over 55 years of leadership! π€΄β¨
Years in Leadership
55 years
Since Date
5 October 1967
Legislative branch
In Brunei, the legislative branch consists of a unicameral Legislative Council with a total of 33 seats! ποΈ This means that all legislative duties are carried out within this single council, making it a crucial part of Brunei's government system. Each of the 33 members plays a significant role in the decision-making process for the nation. π€
Total Seats in Legislative Council
33
Natural resources
Brunei is rich in natural resources! πΏ The country boasts a wealth of petroleum, natural gas, and timber. These resources are vital for its economy and contribute significantly to its wealth! π° Did you know that these resources are not just important for Brunei but also play a crucial role in the global market?
Economic overview
π Brunei's Economic Overview π
Brunei is an oil and gas powerhouse! π’οΈ Most of its economy revolves around these resources, which makes it a high-income country. π° The government plays a major role in employment, as most of the people work in public sector jobs.
Brunei also takes pride in its expansive and robust welfare system, ensuring that its citizens enjoy a good quality of life. π Recently, there's been exciting news about promoting a nationalized halal brand! π§π³
Additionally, Brunei is thinking about foraying into the world of finance with plans to establish a bond market and stock exchange. π This could bring new opportunities for growth and investment in the future! π±
Oil and Gas Economy
almost exclusively
Income Status
high income country
Welfare System
expansive and robust
Majority Workforce
the majority of the population works for the government
National Brand Initiative
promulgating a nationalized halal brand
Financial Developments
considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchange
Government type
In Brunei, the government is an absolute monarchy or sultanate π. This means that the Sultan of Brunei holds all the power and makes decisions without needing to consult anyone. Brunei is one of the few places in the world where this kind of government is still in place! The Sultan not only leads the country but also plays a significant role in its economy and traditions. Isn't it fascinating how a single person can have such a big influence on a nation? π
Ethnic groups
In Brunei, the colorful tapestry of its people is primarily made up of three key ethnic groups π: Malay is the largest, with 67.4% of the population identifying as Malay. π The Chinese community makes up 9.6%, bringing its own rich culture to the mix. πΌ Lastly, the Other ethnic groups account for 23%, contributing to the diverse cultural landscape of this vibrant nation! π
Total Population Percentage Identifying as Malay
67.4%
Total Population Percentage Identifying as Chinese
9.6%
Total Population Percentage Identifying as Other
23%
Ethnic Composition of Brunei
Religions
In Brunei, the predominant religion is Islam, holding 82.1% of the population. πβ¨ Other religions contribute to the vibrant tapestry of beliefs here, with Christianity at 6.7%, Buddhism at 6.3%, and several other faiths making up 4.9%. This diversity makes Brunei a unique place where multiple beliefs coexist harmoniously! π€π
Percentage of Muslim Population
82.1%
Percentage of Christian Population
6.7%
Percentage of Buddhist Population
6.3%
Percentage of Other Religions
4.9%
Distribution of Religions in Brunei (2021)
Languages
In Brunei, the official language is Malay (Bahasa Melayu) π§π³. But that's not all! English and various Chinese dialects are also spoken π€. This rich tapestry of languages makes Brunei a unique place where cultures blend together. πβ¨
Official Language
Malay (Bahasa Melayu)
Other Spoken Languages
English, Chinese dialects
Imports - partners
π Let's explore the import partners of Brunei! In 2022, Brunei sourced its imports from several countries, each contributing different percentages to its economy. Hereβs the breakdown:
- Malaysia: 22% π²πΎ
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): 11% π¦πͺ
- China: 10% π¨π³
- Singapore: 7% πΈπ¬
- Qatar: 6% πΆπ¦
This data shows the top partners for Brunei's imports, reflecting its trade relationships. Isn't it interesting to see how Brunei connects with these nations through trade? π€
Total Import Partners
5
Highest Import Partner
Malaysia (22%)
Lowest Import Partner
Qatar (6%)
Brunei's Import Partners (2022)
Population
π The total population of Brunei is 491,900! ποΈ This is the number of people living in this beautiful, small nation located on the island of Borneo. Brunei is known for its rich culture, stunning mosques, and peaceful lifestyle. Isn't it fascinating how a small population can lead to a close-knit community? π
Total Population of Brunei
491,900
Area
π Brunei's Area Breakdown π
Brunei is a small but beautiful country with a total area of 5,765 sq km! This includes:
- Land Area: 5,265 sq km π³
- Water Area: 500 sq km π§
Brunei's landscape is quite diverse with lush greenery and wonderful waters. Let's dive deeper into these numbers!
Total Area
5765 sq km
Land Area
5265 sq km
Water Area
500 sq km
Brunei's Area Distribution
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Brunei's economy is growing and it's reflected in its Real GDP! π Here are the latest estimates:
- 2023: $35.26 billion
- 2022: $34.771 billion
- 2021: $35.347 billion
You can see that Brunei's economy fluctuated slightly, showing a bit of growth from 2022 to 2023! π°πΉ
Real GDP in 2023
35.26 billion USD
Real GDP in 2022
34.771 billion USD
Real GDP in 2021
35.347 billion USD
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) Over Time
Real GDP per capita
π Brunei's Real GDP per capita shows how prosperous the country is! π Hereβs a quick look at the recent figures:
- 2021: $79,400 π
- 2022: $77,400 π
- 2023: $77,900 π
As we can see, there was a slight decline from 2021 to 2022, but the GDP per capita bounced back a little in 2023! π Let's keep an eye on this trend as it indicates the economic health of Brunei.
Real GDP per Capita (2023)
77,900 USD
Real GDP per Capita (2022)
77,400 USD
Real GDP per Capita (2021)
79,400 USD
Brunei's Real GDP per Capita (2021-2023)
Imports
π Brunei's imports have been growing over the past few years! π Let's check out the numbers:
- In 2020, imports were $6.382 billion.
- In 2021, they increased to $9.219 billion.
- By 2022, imports jumped to $10.106 billion! π
This shows a rising trend in Brunei's imports, highlighting the country's growing demand for goods from around the world!
Brunei's imports in 2020
$6.382 billion
Brunei's imports in 2021
$9.219 billion
Brunei's imports in 2022
$10.106 billion
Brunei's Imports Over the Years
Exports
π Brunei's exports have been steadily increasing over the past few years! Check out these amazing figures:
- In 2020, Brunei's exports were worth $6.886 billion.
- In 2021, the exports grew to $11.202 billion. π
- By 2022, they reached an impressive $14.411 billion! π
This growth shows how Brunei is boosting its economy through trading with other countries! πΌβ¨
2020 Exports
6.886 billion USD
2021 Exports
11.202 billion USD
2022 Exports
14.411 billion USD
Brunei's Export Growth Over Time
Population growth rate
Brunei is experiencing a population growth rate of 1.4% in 2024! π± This means that the number of people living in Brunei is steadily increasing, making it a vibrant place to live and visit! π
Population Growth Rate in 2024
1.4%